What Makes Commercial Cleaning Different From Residential Cleaning?

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Steve Hanson

Many residential cleaning business owners want to expand into commercial cleaning but don't realize just how different it is from their core business. If you're thinking about diversifying into commercial cleaning, here are some things to consider:

• Residential cleaning is done during the day and most commercial cleaning is done at night so it's best to have two separate crews.

• Residential cleaning is done in the client's personal space versus their work space. Since you are touching their personal belongings they tend to be more sensitive and "picky" than commercial cleaning clients.

• Residential clients are generally more demanding with small details (ie: how you place the pillows on their couch and bed, how you hang or fold the towels, how you replace items you pick up to dust, etc). Commercial cleaners are more concerned with ensuring you complete the cleaning specifications they agreed to and for a fair price.

• When residential clients are in the home while you are cleaning they tend to watch every move you make. They expect you to be on time and may watch the clock to see how long it takes to clean. Commercial clients are not watching the clock to make sure you arrived on time (if they are even on site when you arrive). They do not watch every move you make because they have better things to do. They may, however, leave "traps" to make sure your employees are thorough in their cleaning.

• Residential cleaners have more interaction with the client so you want to hire people who have good communication skills, are personable, and are well groomed. These are qualities you want to have in ALL employees, but commercial cleaners that clean at night generally have less interaction with clients.

• With residential you are paid the day of the work, but with commercial you invoice the customer for the month. Most commercial cleaning companies are now invoicing prior to cleaning versus at the end of the month.

• Pricing and profit margins are different. In commercial cleaning, the larger the account, the lower the profit margin. However, the larger accounts can be easier to manage and the lower margin can be made up in volume.

• Marketing is different because residential cleaning is "business to consumer" and commercial cleaning is "business to business".

As you can see, there are many differences between residential cleaning and commercial cleaning. If you are considering diversifying into commercial cleaning, start making a list of pros and cons in order to determine if this is the right thing to do for your business. If you decide to move forward, start making a simple business plan and marketing plan to determine how you will fund and manage the expansion. If you look at this as a new start up, you will be forced to look at it with a critical eye rather than flying by the seat of your pants.

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Steve Hanson helps owners of residential cleaning companies build a more profitable and successful cleaning business through his online community at MyHouseCleaningBiz.com. Read inspirational cleaning success stories at www.cleaning-success.com/">http://www.cleaning-success.com, and sign up for House Cleaning Profit Tips at http://www.MyHouseCleaningBiz